The University of Essex MA Politics allows students to explore these questions and more. The course is distinctive from their other Masters in that it allows students complete freedom of choice over the modules they take. It gives a background to the study of politics, but isn’t as preoccupied with theory and methods as Essex's other Masters courses.

Students explore topics as wide-ranging as: global environmental problems, the economy and the state, international relations, theories of justice, and public opinion. Essex's Department of Government is one of the most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication. They are rated top in the UK for research, and have consistently been the highest-rated politics department in the country since national assessments began. Some of the biggest names in the field work at Essex, giving students unparalleled access to some of the best minds in politics. Essex's staff are advising the CIA on counter-terrorism, training politicians and civil servants in democratizing countries, and commentating on political events in national and international media. Essex's academic staff work on topics ranging from international conflict and violence to British elections, and from the obligations of the younger generation to why authoritarian leaders welcome natural disasters. All Essex politics graduates have the distinction of a qualification from one of the world’s leading politics departments. Essex's MA Politics can lead students to a career in a number of areas such as market research, the media, central and local government and private sector. Students will develop key employability skills including analytical reasoning, research design and essay-writing.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organizations: the Civil Service, local government, the World Bank, the United Nations, NATO, and YouGov and YouGov America. Essex's academic reputation is illustrated by the fact that many of their graduates now teach or research at universities, colleges of higher education and schools. For example, recent graduates are now research fellows and academic staff at: Mannheim, Germany; ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Duke University, USA; NATO/SHAPE, Belgium; and University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.